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Staff Attorney

Employer
Earthjustice
Location
Washington State
Salary
Dependent on experience
Closing date
May 2, 2019

View more

Focus Areas
Environment, Government
Job Function
Legal, Research
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
JD
Experience Level
Management

Earthjustice is seeking an experienced litigation attorney to join its Washington, D.C. office.  This office serves both as a center for litigation on important national environmental issues and a regional office for issues arising in Mid-Atlantic States. The Washington office’s docket currently includes litigation and administrative advocacy to protect public health and the environment from air pollution, hazardous wastes, and dangerous chemicals; curb greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency; and protect streams, wetlands, and drinking water. A significant focus of our public health work is preventing environmental harms to children, disproportionately impacted communities of color, and low-income communities. For more information about the office’s work, visit http://earthjustice.org/about/offices/dc.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on major precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting, environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.  Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Miami, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.


The staff attorney will play a leading role in his or her own docket of major environmental cases, collaborate on litigation with other Earthjustice attorneys and staff, and develop and maintain relationships with clients and partners (such as, other nonprofit organizations, environmental justice groups, community-based organizations, labor unions, and tribes).  Applicants must be ready and able to develop and lead litigation from day one. The ideal candidate for this position will have significant and successful experience with trial court and appellate litigation. Prior experience with administrative law is strongly preferred.  Also preferred is a demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a public-interest environment.

Our practice increasingly emphasizes the creation of a mentorship culture for staff at all levels, so every staff attorney is expected to help nurture the development of early career attorneys and other staff. Staff attorneys also supervise more junior staff in connection with their work on particular projects, and may be asked to serve as the formal supervisor for one or more members of the junior staff. 

Responsibilities:     

  • Manage new and existing cases from start to finish, performing all aspects of litigation, including: drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; presenting oral arguments; and handling appeals.
  • Conduct factual investigations and develop legal theories for possible advocacy or litigation advancing the goals of our clients.
  • Join other staff in long-term planning, strategy development, goal-setting, and work plan management that advances a collective vision for future DC Office work.
  • Participate as an active member of a learning and mentorship culture, and engage with colleagues in manner that is respectful, professional, and supportive.
  • Participate actively in organizational and office-specific efforts to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, and personally engage with colleagues, clients, and partners in a manner that is consistent with those efforts.
  • Supervise the work of Associate Attorneys, Law Clerks, and Litigation Assistants, either as part of a litigation team or as a formal direct supervisor.
  • Develop and manage relationships with co-counsel, and with a diverse group of clients and coalition partners.
  • Work effectively with other departments within Earthjustice, including Communications, Development, Operations, and Policy and Legislation.

Qualifications:

  • Law school graduates who are admitted to or qualified to waive into the DC Bar.
  • At least eight years of litigation experience, including significant lead counsel experience.
  • Excellent research, analysis, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to implement collective plans.
  • Initiative, good judgment, a collegial work style, and a strong work ethic.
  • A commitment to public interest work and a passion for Earthjustice’s mission.
  • Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Aware of and sensitive to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
  • Eager to help the office recruit, hire, develop, and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce.
  • Ability to effectively supervise and mentor more junior staff in connection with litigation projects, and to help foster an inclusive and nurturing work environment.
  • Formal management experience is a plus.
  • Willing to live in the Washington, DC area, and travel as needed.

 We offer a mission and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer an extremely congenial work environment and a casual dress code. 

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following online via the Jobvite system:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Three professional references
  • Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that primarily reflects your work.

   Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.
 

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco:  Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles:  We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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